• In the 18th century, both men and women's wigs were powdered in form to give them their distinctive white or off-white color

• Wig powder was made from finely ground starch that was scented with orange flower, lavender, or orris root
• Wig powder was occasionally colored violet, blue, pink or yellow, but was most often not new as white
• Powdered wigs became an essential for full dress occasions and continued in use until almost the end of the 18th century.

In Britain and most Commonwealth nations, special wigs are also worn by Wigs barristers, judges, and positive parliamentary and municipal or civic officials as a symbol of the office. The original dream of the chartered wig was said to provide a form of anonymity and lap belt (i.e. disguise). Today, Hong Kong barristers and judges continue to wear wigs as part of court dress as an influence from their former jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Nations.